Columnist urges readers to say thanks to truck drivers

September 28, 2017

People are much more likely to offer criticism than they are to provide a compliment. Sadly, that’s just human nature.

Even worse, it seems truck drivers may understand the harsh reality of that statement better than most people. Frustrated four-wheelers may be much more willing to deliver a one-finger salute on the highway than they are to offer a tip of the cap to truck drivers for all they do to ensure our way of life.

That’s why it’s extremely gratifying when a person outside of the trucking industry takes the time to thank the drivers for all they do.

Earlier this week, Dr. Jennifer Baker, a psychologist from Springfield, Mo., wrote a column in the Springfield News-Leader titled, “Respect the sacrifice of truck drivers.”

How refreshing.

But it gets even better. Baker lets readers know some of the difficulties that confront truck drivers, especially the ones with children.

“Those who driver over the road often own or lease their truck,” Baker wrote. “When they are on the road, they make decent money. When they are not driving, they don’t earn a penny. This is why truck drivers tend to be gone for two to four weeks at a time. They drive to support the people they love back home.”

She goes on to question why the general society doesn’t do more to recognize the sacrifice truck drivers make to keep America running.

“It occurred to me there are other folks absent from home for long stretches,” she wrote. “Take dads in the military, for example. They may be deployed for six months to a year. We honor and revere them for their service to our country. We acknowledge the sacrifice they and their families make. I wonder why we don’t do the same for the truck driver dads. Why do they get so little support and recognition? We simply could not function in this country without people to do what they do. I’m not certain who said, ‘America runs on trucking,’ but they are correct. It’s just that truckers don’t get much respect.”

Baker encouraged her readers to keep in mind the sacrifice truck drivers make and to be respectful of them on the road.

“Life on the road as a long-haul trucker isn’t easy,” she wrote. “I think we can all be inspired by some truck drivers who go out of their way to demonstrate their love for their kids. Perhaps the next time we pan an 18-wheeler (or they pass us), we can say a word of thanks for what they do and a little prayer for them and the families they have waiting at home.”

In recent years, Baker’s passion for the subject has increased. She’s involved with the website Good Dads Over the Road, and she was scheduled to speak at the 80th annual Missouri Trucking Association convention on Thursday, Sept. 28, in St. Louis.

“If you look around my home or my office, there isn’t anything that didn’t arrive by a truck,” Baker said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. “Everything would come to a halt without truck drivers. Truckers are kind of like the invisible servant. The stuff keeps showing up at the stores and at our tables, and someone has to do it.

“I don’t think the general public gives it much thought. I think they need more support.”

Mark Schremmer, staff writer, joined Land Line in 2015. An award-winning journalist and former assistant news editor at The Topeka Capital-Journal, he brings fresh ideas, solid reporting skills, and more than 15 years of journalism experience to our staff. Mark is a graduate of Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan.

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